The End of an Era

May 15, 2013 · 1 Comment

By Joe Abitanta

The Pittsburgh Steelers are arguably the greatest NFL franchise of all time, but it doesn’t look like they’ll win their seventh Super Bowl anytime soon. This all time great franchise has had players such as Terry Bradshaw, Hines Ward, and Mean Joe Greene, but it appears the players on their current roster don’t match up very well when compared to some Steelers legends.

In free agency this year, the Steelers lost Mike Wallace, James Harrison, and Rashard Mendenhall, three players that have been helpful in the past, making it difficult for them to find players to replace them. But, they found a way in the draft. In the first three rounds they drafted Jarvis Jones, Le’Veon Bell, and Markus Wheaton, filling all three positions that were left empty after free agency.

After top ten receiver Mike Wallace was replaced by Markus Wheaton, it was clear there would be some rebuilding years. But the real question is, will Markus Wheaton be able to help Ben Roethlisberger take the Steelers get back to the playoffs?

That’s the real goal, putting Roethlisberger in the best place to succeed, and the only position they lacked to supply in this year’s draft was offensive line, which was a huge issue for the Steelers in 2012. They were, however, able to find a replacement for Ryan Clark, a safety who has been in the league for many years and is starting to slow down, in Shamarko Thomas.

It’s essential for the Steelers to go after a free agent like Eric Winston who can significantly help their offensive line. They seem to have successfully filled their holes on defense and at running back and receiver, and they even found a suitable backup quarterback in Landry Jones, but nothing will change unless they can find help on their offensive line.

The one thing we all know for sure is, Mike Tomlin always finds a way for them to not be horrible, and the Steelers will try every possible way for them to stay in the playoff hunt, although that ring they’re looking far may not be coming soon.